July 24 airpower summary: Reaper stops enemy attack
A MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle prepares to land after a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The Reaper has the ability to carry both precision-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)
7/25/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
Near Konduz, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces that were on convoy. Enemy forces opened fire on the convoy with small-arms fire. The aircraft provided several shows of force on the enemy positions which stopped the enemy engagement on the convoy.
At Sangin, an MQ-9A Reaper
Several coalition aircraft were in the vicinity of Musa Qaleh to provide friendly forces with air cover. The aircraft provided support through shows of force for friendly forces under small arms fire from enemy forces. The aircraft also dropped ordnance on the known enemy force position.
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II's were at Asmar providing armed overwatch when friendly forces came under attack. The Anti-Afghan forces position was identified and a guided bomb unit-38 was dropped eliminating the position.
Friendly forces requested aerial support at Asadabad after they started receiving small-arms fire. Enemy forces were positioned on a ridgeline and the Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38's which ended the enemy small-arms fire.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
In total, 93 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Twenty-three Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Air Force aircraft and a coalition Aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 22 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.
Twenty-eight Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster III provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 39 airlift sorties were flown, 823 tons of cargo were delivered and about 4,077 passengers were transported. This included about 51,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On July 23, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported five patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60G transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.
Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 56 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 264 receiving aircraft.
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